Translated literally, Visarga means "to send out" or "to release". It creates a lingering sound after the vowel. It can be understood as an allophone of r, s or h and is, depending on context and school of pronunciation, pronounced variably between these sounds.

Jihvāmūlīya in front of unvoiced guttural sounds (k, kh)

When an unvoiced guttural sound (k or kh) follows, the Visarga is pronounced as an only slightly audible guttural sound, the so-called Jihvāmūlīya. The German ch comes close to this sound (example: Da-ch-Kater).

Upadhmānīya in front of unvoiced labial sounds (p, ph)

When an unvoiced labial sound (p or ph) follows, the Visarga is pronounced as an only slightly audible labial aspirate, the so-called Upadhmānīya. The German fh or ph comes close to this sound (example: Dor-f-Platz).

Examples:

vṛttayaḥ pañcatayyaḥ (five types of waves) is pronounced as vṛttaya-fh-pañcatayya-hā.

Ūṣman in front of fricatives (ś, ṣ or s)

When a fricative (ś, ṣ or s) follows, the Visarga adapts to the following fricative, a phenomenon called Ūṣman.